PDGA Discussion Board Rules - The following will not be allowed:

1. Profanity (including creative misspellings to circumvent the profanity filter)
2. Personal attacks - namecalling, insults, and harassment
3. Physical threats against other members (obvious or veiled)
4. Materials, or links to materials which are not suitable for a minor
5. Account sharing - allowing others to post under your account name
6. Discussion about the solicitation, distribution or manufacture of illegal drugs. This includes posting images of illegal drugs
7. Links to downloads of copyrighted material such as music, movies, TV shows, etc.
8. Causing harm to the message board - inserting malicious code, posting of large files, and/or any other behavior that disrupts normal performance of the message board. This includes spamming (multiple posting of an identical or similar post on one or more of our forums in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it. Alternatively, multiple posting of a nonsense message or "bumping" of old threads for no reason)
9. Any other material deemed offensive by a PDGA member, and agreed by a moderator and/or Executive Director.
10. Constructive criticism is welcomed, however derogatory or negative posts about the PDGA and/or it's members are prohibited, and will not be tolerated on this association funded forum.


Sounds like China, or maybe North Korea.

Thread bumps are normally done in the tournament thread. This is usually done by tds and is just keep the tournament relevant.

I think we have been told to grow up or get out. Honestly, there is nothing wrong with that.

At least this isn't a Microsoft board where you can get banned up to 100yrs.

re the new rules:

i hope this is not construed as criticism (its not, its an opinion):

BOO

<font color="blue"> [profanity and derogatory content about the PDGA removed] </font>

PDGA Discussion Board Rules - The following will not be allowed:

1. Profanity (including creative misspellings to circumvent the profanity filter)
2. Personal attacks - namecalling, insults, and harassment
3. Physical threats against other members (obvious or veiled)
4. Materials, or links to materials which are not suitable for a minor
5. Account sharing - allowing others to post under your account name
6. Discussion about the solicitation, distribution or manufacture of illegal drugs. This includes posting images of illegal drugs
7. Links to downloads of copyrighted material such as music, movies, TV shows, etc.
8. Causing harm to the message board - inserting malicious code, posting of large files, and/or any other behavior that disrupts normal performance of the message board. This includes spamming (multiple posting of an identical or similar post on one or more of our forums in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it. Alternatively, multiple posting of a nonsense message or "bumping" of old threads for no reason)
9. Any other material deemed offensive by a PDGA member, and agreed by a moderator and/or Executive Director.
10. Constructive criticism is welcomed, however derogatory or negative posts about the PDGA and/or it's members are prohibited, and will not be tolerated on this association funded forum.



i'd like to know if this decision was made with the blessing of a BoD vote, if it was made without a formal vote but with the knowledge and blessing by all of the BoD, if it was made by Brian alone, or what.

to some degree, this is a reduction of services offered. i feel we need much more of an explanation than what we've gotten so far.

this is not criticism, its advice: provide some examples of where that thread went too far, so that we may attempt to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable posts. there is so much in other thread that is at least as objectionable as anything on that thread, but those posts have not been purged. inconsistency of principle is abhorant, especially in an association that is on a mission to do good works.

I would like to think "Constructive" critcism could be "Negative" also

I think those rules are essentially the same, but let's see how they are interpreted..

could be another stellar year :)

I always thought that we were the ones who funded the MB with our dues and such but I guess not.

you elected the bod, which decided that the BOD would not be directly involved (http://www.pdga.com/files/documents/2008-09-04BODMeetingMinutesApproved.pdf).

has the action item from this meeting been completed, and if so , to what outcome? it would appear as if BG took control. not to be picky, but that is not what what discussed by the BOD, leading to the questions about how this came about.

did the committee that was formed ever report back? if so, was this new policy their recommendation? did the ED get total control and make this up alone? did Jeff get promoted and this is his idea?

But we don't elect the ED now do we? Sounds like a Paulson type thing! ;)

how we get EDs would make a great article for the new mag.

Proudly guilty of violating #'s 2, 4, 9 &amp; 10. Actually I think a couple of them were written just for me. How small time can the Association get?

Rhett Stroh Probation 12/21/2008-3/21/2009
Infraction Off suspension

So his infraction was coming off of suspension?

Man i am really thinking or Moving to BAMA with Matt-O so I can play good events that are all for the players and not for the supposedly Non-Profit PDGA.

As a result, I am here today to let all PDGA members know that we are taking our DISCussion Board back in 2009!




Good luck with that. ;)

As a result, I am here today to let all PDGA members know that we are taking our DISCussion Board back in 2009!




Good luck with that. ;)



Who stole it? Those dang dues paying members? :confused:

I think my New Years resolution may be to stay off the board for three weeks and it may be really easy starting tomorrow considering I already have to take the PDGA pee test before every post.

Don't worry they don't check for drug use just criticism. ;)



Goodnight to all and to all a good night.

the only ones allowed to post, sir.

chronology

spetember 16, 2008. the BOD plus paid advisor Stork plus ED present.
- Stork answered the question of utility with the fact that it is by far the largest draw of the PDGA website and increases our hits significantly which in turn makes us more interesting to potential sponsors.

email from a Moderator, December 16, 2008
BG told me that i was right that the volume of reports was dow na lot in the last 3 months


email from ED, December 29, 2008
BG stated that weblogs show traffic has not slowed at all and we are still running more than 100,00 unique visitors per month.



post from the ED, December 30, 2008
The number one complaint that I receive from members is in regards to the PDGA DISCussion Board. The overwhelming majority of members who have spoken with me on this subject have told me that they no longer post there anymore due mainly to the questionable conduct of a small vocal minority. Many say that it is absurd that the we allow posters to make disparaging remarks detrimental to the association on a PDGA funded resource and I could not agree with them more

this is all fact, as documented. not a criticism. it raises a few questions. just how many complaints were there? how large is this set of complainers? given the fact that the MS is the "largest draw" (stork's words), just how significant is the loss we were taking? given that the number of reported posts has "significantly" tapered off, why take action now andrun the risk of upsetting the apple cart that is currently a good chunk of our website ad revenue base? what has changed since your email of yesterday that stated website traffic is absolutely as expected?

email from ED, December 30, 2008
The fact that you are {upset} reaffirms with me that I did the right
thing... thanks! You are afterall one of the posters that I receive the most
complaints about. Should I not listen to the majority of members?

Brian, i do not have the answer fo your question yet. if you could share some data that supports your deicsion, it sure would be easier to offer some support. but right now if feels inconsistent with what has been said and with the recent results. without a more detailed explanation it really is quite a lot to ask.

btw, i have not received any notices that i've had posts reviewed. has the reporting process changed also, or are the complaints off-the-record?

So the complaints about posters are taken seriously but not the complaints about the ORG itself? Makes perfect sense and I hope they realize that maybe that is why only the devoted few renew because they want to and the others semingly disappear to never renew again or renew due to the fact they want to play BIG events.

Man this makes me want to have another "Pro" meeting like at KC in 07 to discuss things we feel need to be changed that the PDGA obviously doesn't feel is important.

I wish the PDGA could be the driving force in DG but at the moment the ORG does little compared to the regional powers and individuals who really do something to pus the sport forward.

Maybe the members of the BoD and ED need to take another look at the mission statement.

I believe with the new rules free speech has now been rendered dead even though there isn't really a "free speech" clause in the constitution and we actually pay for our speech on here per year.

chronology



Left hand, meet right hand.

so these rules don't go into effect until 2009?

BUMP

Alternatively, multiple posting of a nonsense message or "bumping" of old threads for no reason



All "bump" posts are done for a reason.
Might not be a very good reason, but there is always a reason.

Honestly, I need more definitive 'guidelines'. Does equating this message board (and/or the PDGA website in general) to a pile of feces necessitate probation? Just a question...nothing more, nothing less.

It's going to be quiet around here without all of the new rules violaters

The probation/suspension list will be larger than the current users on line list. :o:D

doesnt the sport already have a discussion board for the over-polite?

SILENCE!

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/ladyfox17/Achmed.jpg

dang it abcd, this thread was just dying down!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2884507409_a987bd4ab6.jpg

Here's a thought, add the function of arbitrator to the moderator role.
That way the accused has the right to confront his accuser and maybe they could actually get to the bottom of whatever bone was to be picked.
Only after they addressed one another in a private setting, would probation be a means to a resolution.
By telling one of our members to be quiet, we virtually learn nothing from the very root of whatever issue is at hand. It's like telling your child to shut up and go to your room. There is no education that takes place under the current format in my opinion.
I've never been on suspension, I've never been on probation and I read most of these post with humor. I know violations when someone crosses over the line but if we never ask ourselves why did he cross the line, we never learn anything.
Need proof, why do we now study persons like Ted Bundy?
Because something set them off and isn't that really what we as an organization should be asking, "why is that guy always mad?"
I believe if we would actually try to difuse the anger behind the post instead of just deleting the post, we would mature as a group.
This is as constructive as I care to be, I am not mad, but I don't think censorship is education and I believe we should look at different perspectives.
I am just playing the devil's advocate, and trying to get some thinking out on center stage.

Oh, and Happy New Year!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/2950137216_d88a06e42a.jpg

any volunteers to form a moderator group for a completely free and non-gestapo-run disc golf message board? I have the domain name, the server, and the software... just not the time to keep it up and running well. Pat? Hawk? Anyone? The only censorship I would enforce is blatant idiocy (like flood posting, etc). no censorship of ideas, thoughts, or even criticisms...

Just join discgolfscene.com :)

derogatory statements against the PDGA...????
Where are we...seems a little china, hitler, mossolini.
Is that where we are now. Really. Hang my head.
I know the answer is: "this is where we are because a handful of disrespectful people has brought us here". No, they didn't. Be ashamed.

lol its not even 2009 yet and im on probation! moderators please tell me who was first to be taken action against matt or me? i wanted to be first for insulting the pDGA

10. Constructive criticism is welcomed, however derogatory or negative posts about the PDGA and/or it's members are prohibited, and will not be tolerated on this association funded forum.




Moderating this rule will be quite a challenge.

It is sad and embarassing that the leadership of this organization has become this sensitive. The irony is that their sensitivity and timidity in confronting criticism head-on just breeds more criticism. Thus, instead of looking forward and maintaining focus, they get distracted by criticism and badly overreact.

It reminds me of that movie genre where unruly students relish picking on the teacher because they have no respect and see the teacher as weak. Once a new teacher is inserted, one who is seen as strong, and therefore respected by the students, whether they agree with him/her or not, a semblence of order is restored.

10. Constructive criticism is welcomed, however derogatory or negative posts about the PDGA and/or it's members are prohibited, and will not be tolerated on this association funded forum.



Really? You've drawn the line there?

Do us all a favor. Go ahead and close down this board.

The only problem I really have the "bump" rule is the ruling, unlike most of the rules, is 100% subjective.

I'm 50/50 on the bad mouthing the PDGA topic. I think that it may lead to people afraid of voicing their opinions and my favorite saying regarding opinions and complaints is "if we didn't complain, we would be British"

However, if I owned a site and someone can on it and bad mouthed me, you better believe I would remove it.

Try placing a sign on the lawn of your tax supported City Hall complaining about city services or spray nasty messages on its walls and see how long that lasts.

Try placing a sign on the lawn of your tax supported City Hall complaining about city services or spray nasty messages on its walls and see how long that lasts.



Just a counter point, it can be OK to stage a group protest about City Hall on the same lawn.



Who is making the decision in regards to #10? Are we now having active moderation?

The point is you can rant and complain all you want to city officials directly, the editor of local newspapers and on your own website. You probably need a city permit to stage that protest on the lawn.

The point is you can rant and complain all you want to city officials directly, the editor of local newspapers and on your own website. You probably need a city permit to stage that protest on the lawn.



And city hall is a public institution and being a subject of the government is hardly voluntary. PDGA membership is.

So it's shut up or leave?

What about the phrase "constructive criticism" seems to be the problem? Offer advice, suggestions or voice concerns with the good intentions for all of us to help resolve an issue, then no problem. Theo asked for that advice during the web updates and people responded with excellent feedback and help.

Ranting and swearing about how you've been wronged is more about stroking your ego than doing anything productive to resolve a situation. If this D-Board is the only outlet where you can do that, then your problems are bigger than what could ever be solved by the org. There are several people who have been torched to the edges of tolerability many times on this D-Board and have not responded in kind. Learn from their patience and posting accumen. I'm guessing about 20%-30% of what I've written in responses I've deleted before posting including not even posting some long responses at all. Some people just need to knock out a word or two and they'd almost be model posters. ;)

What about the phrase "constructive criticism" seems to be the problem?



Simply that one man's constructive criticism is another man's negative post.

More importantly, why is there even a need to draw that line?

Suggested New Year�s Resolutions for PDGA:

1. End conscription. Make membership voluntary.
2. End taxation. Only collect fees from voluntary PDGA members and voluntary participants in PDGA-sanctioned events.
3. Amend constitution to allow governing board to be selected by members, and Executive Director to be selected by member-elected BOD.
4. Halt prosecution of non-sanctioned events for violating trademark &amp; copyrights in use of PDGA rules, approved discs, etc.
5. Release the phrase �disc golf� for use on non-affiliated websites and discussion boards.

This would free the dozen or so individuals who seem so unhappy with the PDGA to play disc golf and run non-sanctioned disc golf events and play in those disc golf events without having to be part of the PDGA, and exercise their free speech rights on non-affiliated sites, while allowing the 98% of the PDGA discussion board that doesn�t involve PDGA-bashing (tournament info, courses, equipment, etc.) to proceed unimpaired.

Perhaps you have to be married or in a long term relationship at some point to know where that line is. And from experience, that relationship "constructive criticism" line is a bit further back than what would be acceptable here. :D

Uh, Okay. Being a member of the PDGA is like a marriage? That cleared it up.

Mr Sauls, you apparently take it for granted that this policy benefits the PDGA. Group think is not a successful evolutionary (or organizational) trait.

Uh, Okay. Being a member of the PDGA is like a marriage? That cleared it up.


I could simply say you're terrible understanding analogies but my constructive criticism would be to consider looking it up in wikipedia, first here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analogy
and then here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_criticism

Yeah, well see if there is a wikipedia entry for "naive." It's foolishness to think there is a clear line between constructive criticism and negativity. This will become abundantly clear in the near future. And for what?

Additionally, discussion about PDGA policies is hardly analogous to an opinion of my wife's newest dress.

Actually, Mr. McCaine, I don't agree with this policy. And, for that matter, many others of the PDGA.

But I can live with it, and the process. And can live without vitriol a tiny percentage of posters insist on spewing....and insist on their unalienable right to spew.

You disagree with the policy and mock people who criticize it all in the same breath???

And what is "the process" for discussing ideas, and once again, what is gained by this policy?

And to make sure I'm clear, James, I do not include you with that comment.

Gestapo? North Korea? Freedom of Speech? This shuts down the message board?

Just thought I'd point out that no one's forced into the PDGA---or forced to use the message board---or forced to behave so poorly in public.

You disagree with the policy and mock people who criticize it all in the same breath???

And what is "the process" for discussing ideas, and once again, what is gained by this policy?



No, I mock people for the way they criticize it.

And I meant the "process" that the organization's board can set guidelines for the organization's website. As a member I can try to persuade them otherwise....or offer myself for the board....or not.

What about the phrase "constructive criticism" seems to be the problem?



Simply that one man's constructive criticism is another man's negative post.

More importantly, why is there even a need to draw that line?



I really don't know, but I think the PDGA is merely restricting ad hominem attacks against itself, its volunteers, or its members. Saying a policy is misguided and short sighted, is different from saying the PDGA policy makers are stupid.

Yeah, well see if there is a wikipedia entry for "naive." It's foolishness to think there is a clear line between constructive criticism and negativity. This will become abundantly clear in the near future. And for what?

Additionally, discussion about PDGA policies is hardly analogous to an opinion of my wife's newest dress.


There is an entry for naive. There is also an entry for disc golf. But there are no entries for anything related to disc golf. I think we should start working on that. :P

It reminds me of that movie genre where unruly students relish picking on the teacher because they have no respect and see the teacher as weak. Once a new teacher is inserted, one who is seen as strong, and therefore respected by the students, whether they agree with him/her or not, a semblence of order is restored.




School of Rock - starring Jack Black? :D

Just thought I'd point out that no one's forced into the PDGA---or forced to use the message board---or forced to behave so poorly in public.



I really don't know, but I think the PDGA is merely restricting ad hominem attacks against itself, its volunteers, or its members. Saying a policy is misguided and short sighted, is different from saying the PDGA policy makers are stupid.




I think adults can make these distinctions on their own in most cases. Read it/Don't read it... move further down the thread to what you want to read. It has always been pretty simple to me.

adults CAN make the distinction if they choose to. there has been very little true attacking going on around here. feeling attacked is different from being attacked. for adults anyway.

email from Executive Director , December 30, 2008-

The fact that you are {upset} reaffirms with me that I did the right
thing... thanks! You are afterall one of the posters that I receive the most
complaints about. Should I not listen to the majority of members?



Pat, If the above statement is in fact true then how have you avoided being placed on THE D LIST? To my recollection, you've NEVER been probed. :confused:

Pat, To my recollection, you've NEVER been probed.



Ummm...Shouldn't we be sticking to disc issues and not what each of us choose to do in the privacy of our homes?

http://history-help.com/South-Park/101-Cartman%20gets%20an%20anal%20probe.jpg

wow... what happened on New Years Eve?! Friends don't let friends post drunk! ;)

5 people on the disc list on the same day!!!

wow... what happened on New Years Eve?! Friends don't let friends post drunk! ;)

5 people on the disc list on the same day!!!



Something went *Bump* in the night. ;)

ba dum bump

i read this today on a very subversive website, aka Yahoo Sports:

They�re too craven to do the right thing, if they�re even still capable of recognizing it.

it was about the Miami football program and NCAA execs. i wondered if this was written about it the association here if it violate the new rules. if it was written somewhere outside of here, would it get a call from the DIsciplinary Committee?

i can understand it either way... posting on yahoo is news... the board is not. knowing the answer would help clarify the new boundaries.

They�re too craven to do the right thing, if they�re even still capable of recognizing it.





Quote the Craven... nevermore!

knowing the answer would help clarify the new boundaries.



Yes. Mature, respectful, helpful people want to know exactly how far can the new rules can be bent before they're considered to be broken.